TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has officially opened the Muslim Fashion Festival (MUFFEST) Indonesia in Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Senayan, wearing a batik shirt and blue sarong. Jokowi was previously seen wearing his viral denim jacket at the Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) 2018 in Jiexpo Kemayoran.

“In this modernization era where lifedata-style rapidly developed, fashion has an important role,” said the president in his speech.

Jokowi believed that fashion sector in Indonesia has a brighter future ahead. He then urged the fashion enthusiast to further make an innovation, particularly on Muslim wears, without setting aside the culture, religion, and moral values.

Read: Jokowi Attends 2018 IIMS Wearing His Renowned Denim Jacket

“Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the Middle East have their own characteristics, so we have to show our national identity through fashion,” said the President.

MUFFEST is the third Muslim fashion event took place at Jakarta Convention Centre (JCC), Senayan Jakarta, April 19-22. The event is aimed at promoting Indonesia as the host and central inspiration of global Muslim wears by optimizing the local culture by 2020.

National Chairman Indonesian Fashion Chamber (IFC) Ali Charisma said Indonesia as one of the most populous Muslim countries is a huge target market for world designers so that the country must protect local products with innovation and personal branding.

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“We are confident that our dream to make Indonesia as a leading Muslim fashion of the world will eventually come true, not in 2020, not tomorrow; but today,” Ali stated.

DEWI NURITA